Kashmir's Tulip Garden Draws 3 Lakh Visitors This Season As Tourism Picks Up

Every spring, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden turns into one of Kashmir's biggest crowd-pullers, drawing tourists from across the country and beyond. Set against the backdrop of the Dal Lake and the Zabarwan hills, the garden has once again played a key role in boosting tourism in the Valley this year. As it is set to close its gates for the season on April 16,  let us take a look at this year's turnout.

Since opening on March 16, the garden has recorded close to 2.95 lakh visitors, as per a report by The New Indian Express. This includes around 1.55 lakh domestic tourists and nearly 800 foreign visitors.

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Spread over 450 kanals, the garden showcased nearly 1.8 million tulip bulbs across more than 70 varieties this year. In addition, around one lakh other bulbous flowers added to the overall display, creating a wide mix of colours through early, mid and late bloom cycles. This planning ensured that the garden remained vibrant for almost a month.

Assistant Floriculture Officer Imran Ahmad said the response has been strong throughout the season. “About 2.95 lakh visitors have come to the garden since it was opened on March 16. Among them are 1.55 lakh domestic tourists and 800 foreign visitors,” he told The New Indian Express.

Photo Credit: Unsplash

The season also started on a high note. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated the annual tulip festival on March 16. Day 1 saw over 10,000 visitors walking through the gardens.

The tulip garden has been a major part of Kashmir's tourism story for years. It was developed in 2007 under the leadership of Ghulam Nabi Azad and has since grown into Asia's largest tulip garden and a postcard image of the region.

Compared to last year's record footfall of 8,55,125 visitors, this year's numbers are lower but still reflect a steady and encouraging turnout. 

Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) Secretary General Sajad Kralyari noted that tourist movement has remained steady. “There is 50 per cent occupancy in hotels in the Valley despite the conflict, which is a very positive development,” he said. “It signals the revival of tourism in Kashmir after last year's Pahalgam attack.”

Photo Credit: Unsplash

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With enquiries picking up after the recent ceasefire in West Asia, tourism stakeholders are expecting even better numbers in the coming months, and the tulip garden's strong run this season has already set the tone.